Two women were scolding one another across the road, very violently, both from upstair windows; and I in my hurry for quiet life, and not knowing what might come down upon me, quickened my step for the nearest corner.

Happening to cast my eyes around, it suddenly occurred to me that something uncommon was expected; people were standing in groups on the pavement — the upstair windows of the houses were thronged with faces, especially those of women, and many of the shops were partly, and not a few entirely, closed.